The fourth instalment in the Star Trek film series looks to be in trouble before it has even started: Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth probably won’t be appearing, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Both Chrises were originally in negotiations to appear in Star Trek 4, but sources say that they were unable to come to a good agreement for Paramount Pictures and Skydance Media, the studios set to produce the film.
The reason for the oncoming parting of the ways is reportedly down to the studios going back on existing deals following budget changes caused by the previous film, Star Trek Beyond, failing to wow at the box office. The new deals would have seen Pine and Hemsworth receiving pay cuts.
However, the film is currently still going ahead, and Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek Beyond cast members Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, John Cho and Simon Pegg are all expected to return. Director SJ Clarkson is helming the film from a script by Patrick McKay and John D Payne.
It’s a pity the actors and the studios were unable to come to an agreement, especially with Pine playing iconic Star Trek mainstay Captain James T Kirk.
But maybe this will give the film series a chance to rejig and try something new, and actually boldly go somewhere.
Star Trek 4 doesn’t yet have a release date. Get all the latest sci-fi news with every issue of SciFiNow.